CHINESE HISTORY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 13 (Supplement)

CHINESE HISTORY

A SLAUGHTER BY MONGOLS I SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE I PART IV. '■ (Written especially for the “Chron- I icle” by R.S.) Jenghiz Khan had brought tho north- I urn districts only of China under con- ! trol. The enormous area, and swarm I ing population of the great Empire j made a total conquest impracticable, cr : ac least too onerous an undertaking for the Mongol chief at that particular date. Tho present war had been waged against the Kin dynasty, but, as the Chinese had been living for some years in subjection to their more war-like race, they had become confusedly intermixed with them. It therefore fol- • lowed that the wholesale destruction of property and waste of life caused through the razing to the ground of ‘ the ninety odd cities by the Mongols had probably more seriously affected the Chinese (being more numerous) than it had the Kins. The Mongols were not a whit troubled as to who.se lives or whose property were sacrificed in their indiscriminate slaughter. Conscientious scruples or sympathy with the defeated found no place in the callous hearts of those hard fighting barbarians. Jenghiz had the complete conquest of of China always at heart, and he now had secured command over all the northern districts to as far south as the Hwang-Ho (Yellow River). He succeeded in coining to terms with the Sung dynasty, who governed the southern provinces, enabling him to turn his attention to the princes and peoples of Northern India, Afghanistan and Persia. The rulers of these states had insulted, and in some instances murdered, the Khan’s ambassadors, and treated with contempt his friendly overtures. Jenghiz was determined on avenging these insults, and the southern chiefs and their people had soon to suffer a blood-curdling punishment for their rashness. This campaign has, however, nothing to do with the his tory of China, so its story need not be continued here. Death of Jenghiz. Jenghiz died about 1227 and. on his uc-a'th-bed:—“Adjured his son (Ogdai.i tc complete the conquest of China—crowning desire of his life.” It is said that, to insure that bis wish should be effectively earized out. he nominated his third son, Ogdai, the child of his Mongol wife, to succeed him. passing over the two older sons born of 'i Chinese wife. Ogdai obeyed the dying injunction of his father, and carried on the campaign against the Kins with a wholehcartedness that showed the task was to his liking. In 1231. about six years aft< r the death of Jenghiz Khan, his youngest son Tula, or Too-le. who was probably the most daring and hardest lighter of those -Mongol brothers, died. This was a heavy loss to his people, but he left behind a family of twelve warrior sous of whom Mangu, and later Kublai, succeeded to the throne a few years after. These young princes became renowned for bravery and skilful generalship. Kublai is credited, also with being the first of the Mongol chiefs to show leniency, and chivalrous treatment, to defeated enemies, and to have used every endeavour to ease off the wholesale massacres accompanying every battle waged by the Mongols up to his time. The following is an instance of the relentless savagery shown in the war between the Kins ami Mongols: —Overtures were made by Ogdai to the Sung dynasty, who ruled the whole of the southern provinces, which ended in their assistance being given in the war of extermination against the Kins, rc- ; suiting in the latter being ultimately besieged in Joo-ning-Foo, a strongly fortified town. The beleaguered Kin army, assisted by the people of the town, put up a brave defence, and kept ; the enemy at bay for months. Their , Emperor was immured with them, and they were so determined to resist to ] : the death that all aged and useless persons in tho town were killed to prevent, waste of food. Every animal that it was possible to make use of as food was killed, and added to the larder. !So many able-bodied men lost their lives :n resisting the continuous attacks that women took up arms, and fought bravely on the ramparts. Their Spartan action was of no avail against the mighty army that had ini vested the town. Starved and worn • out the garrison was at last compelled , ’ to give way; and men, women, and • children were slaughtered. No feeling , of admiration for the heroism they had shown could soften the savage hearts j of their victorious focmen. Years of - experience of similar scenes had extin guished all sentiments of pity or re- ? morse. Their Emperor, last of the Kin - dynasty, set fire to his palace and per--1 ishod in tho flames, that the enemy 1 might, not be able to insult, and niuri- . late his dead body. It is a remarkable • fact that about four hundred years ; later the Mancha family established • their claim to the throne a. c descend : ants of the Kins. Tho extinction for ; the time of the Kins made the conquest ’of the whole of China appear a less ■ formidable task to tackle. (To be continued.)